Doha, April 01 (QNA) - Research led by Aspetar, in collaboration with global experts, has published two comprehensive scientific reviews outlining a practical framework for national teams preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
In a statement, Aspetar stated: "Published in Sports Medicine with the contribution of international collaborators, the articles examine the major environmental stressors expected to affect players and support staff throughout the tournament, including heat, altitude, air pollution, allergens and long-haul travel to the World Cup and frequent travel between host cities".
"The findings highlight how the extraordinary geographic breadth of the competition will expose players to markedly different climate and environmental conditions across venues, making this edition of the World Cup one of the most complex in history from a health and performance perspective," the statement said.
Aspetar added: "The guidelines also provide practical advice for teams preparing for this major event".
Executive Director of Research and Scientific Support Prof. Marco Cardinale said: "These two papers led by Dr Christopher Esh are a collaboration with colleagues from different international institutions and reflect Aspetar's long-standing experience in major international tournaments and underlines the hospital's leadership in translating scientific research into practical knowledge".
Researcher and author of the study Christopher John Esh said: "This work was designed to serve as a practical scientific reference connecting the evidence base with the realities of football in tournament settings. We focused on analysing the anticipated environmental challenges in detail and then translating the findings into actionable recommendations for technical and medical staff. Its value lies not only in identifying risks, but in providing a clear framework for managing them in practice".
The two studies by Aspetar provide practical guidance on heat acclimatization, hydration, workload, altitude, air quality, and recovery strategies, reinforcing its role as a global leader in sports medicine and a trusted partner for major sporting events. (QNA)